Closure assembly for containers



Dec. 8, 1953 H. B. HOWE 2,561,362

I CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FQR CONTAINERS Filed April 22. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTORQ HERBERT B. HOWE BY (2 6M,

' HIS TTORNEYS.

Dec. 8, 1953 CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINERS Filed April 22, 1950 2SheetsSheet 2 H. B. HOWE 2,661,862

HERBERT B. HOWE HIS A ORNE'YS.

Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED "STAT- ee mum :CLO'SURE ASSEMBLY FORCONTAINERS f I-Ierbert 'BJHowe, Chatha'm, N. "J. AppIicationA rikZZ,lam-serial -No...1 57=,441

i4o1aims. (011220-440) "iThis invention relates to closureslforcont=ainers;- and moreparticularlyto new and lmzproved closures forcontainers such :as metal surfaces of the respective locking members areperpendicular to their supporting-walls, each be- -in g slightlylongitudinally inclined to afford wedging action whioheffectively;.prevents the closure from working itself loose. .Inaddition the wedging-action of the locking members is .utilizedto urge alip .onthe closure into sealing engagement with the chime or :rollededge'of :the container.

According to the presentinventiontheclosure ofthe said copendingpatent-may be incorporated .in-an improved closure assembly. foropeningstof -varioussizes in-containers, suchas metal; drums and thelike, ina novel manner to i-reduceithe cost of fabrication and toimprove the; structural -characteristics of both thecontainenandgclosure.

,It is therefore an object-of the vinvention'to provide an improvedclosure assemblyifor various .types of openings incontainers suchasmetal drums and thelike; wherebythe structural characteristics ofthe'drum are-materially improved at reduced manufacturing. costs.

vIt i-s'another object of the inventiontopro- .vide a new and improvedclosure-of the above schamcter which, once the closure is in place,-affordsihighresistance to exterior damage.

{These and other-objects of .theinvention are attained. by providing a:novel circumferential insert :or collar .member which ,is adapted to,-be rmechanically ,or otherwise secured to the fin- :terior of thecylindricalwall iportion defining the opening ,in the container. =Asacne preferred imethodoffabrication;theinsertis. formedfrom a continuous"strip formed with -.-a succession of :spaced locking members on onesofits-asurfaces, thereby obviating the more costly :operation -of formingsuch 1members on the .-wall portions of the container. The strip is also{cut tolength and formed into ;a :cylindricalringgto be inserted byrolling the container 'over eifectivelyprevented.

-in the opening in the container to voverlieLthe lipper h portionthereof. 7 edges of the insert and cylindrical wall portion :m-ay thenbe rolled outwardly as onetoform a -;chime.or rolled edge, and thelo'weredge of the The laminated upper .insert may be rolled. into thecylindrical walLportion toform an external annular. rib thereinlin aconventional operation. The locking-members .onthe insert are thusrigidly positioned within the container, theoutside surface ofthe walLofthe container, however, revealing no evidence of the existence of thelocking elements which 'aife completely shielded. The closure member or.lid

is preferably'a disc-shaped unit witha marginal fiangerportion adaptedto nest within the insert wall, and is formed with looking membersadapted tounderlie-the locking members formed .on the insert in-a mannersimilar .to that described in the said copending patent.

,It will be apparent that this novel construction providesa highlyeflicient and economical (clo- :sure since itobviates the relativelycostly and troublesome operation offorminglocking momber in thecontainer wall itself andfinaddition provides structural reinforcementadjacent the opening in the container, which area is particularlyvulnerable to damage. Moreover, because the locking members areeifectively hidden byan external wall, damage to thelockingmembers assharp objects is Additional objects and advantages of 'theiinventionwill be apparent from the following 'detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings .in which Fig. 1 is .a View,in perspective showing the .upper portion of a metal drum, selectedfor-pun poses of illustration from among numerous'ltypes .of containerswhichmay embody the instant invention, with a separable closure member.dis-

posed-thereabove and with asupplement annular insert member affixedwithin the .cylindrical wall of the drum, all as formed according to thepresent invention; l a

d Fig. Zisa fragmentary top view .of the closure membershowninFig. 1; d

Fig. .3 is a fragmentary view of the closure member of Fig. 1 showingone .of the locking members formed-therein;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view :in longitudinal section .taken .on theline 4-4-01? Fig. 2 looking -11]. the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view. in cross section takenon theline 55 ofFig. -2 looking-in jthe direction of the arrows Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryview in cross section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in cross section of the closure assemblyshowing the three funda mental components thereof with the lockingmembers out of engagement;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in cross section of the closure assembly asshown in Fig. 7 with the closure element "having been rotated to bringthe "locking members into engagement; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal cross section showing amodified form of the collar assembly.

Referring to Fig. l, the invention is shown as embodied in a steel drumN of the conventional type used for storing dry or liquid materials andhaving a cylindrical wall portion In defining an opening therein.Alternatively, the cylindrical wall portion In may be formed as part ofa container of any desired shape such as rectangular for example.Moreover, although the diameter of the opening in the illustratedembodiment is equal to that of the wall of the container, it will beunderstood that the novel closure assembly may be used to form aso-called bung closure of comparatively small diameter with respect tothe size of the container.

In accordance with the invention an annular insert or collar member IIis disposed concentrically within the drum to overlie the cylindricalwall portion In adjacent the opening therein. The insert H is secured inplace by suitable means such as an outwardly flared rib I2 on its loweredge which is received within an annular recess l2a formed in the innersurface of the wall of the drum (Fig. '7) The lower edge of the insertis preferably made flush with the inner surface of the drum wall so asnot to interfere with the removal of a product such as grease forexample from the drum and to prevent the product from getting betweenthe collar member H and the cylindrical wall portion ill. Theupper edgeof the insert H and of the cylindrical wall l are rolled outwardly toform a curved sealing surface 13 of substantially circular crosssection, with the insert H overhanging the wall portion H), as best seenin Figs. 7 and 8.

A plurality of inwardly projecting locking members M are formed on theinsert member H, the locking members being substantially equal in lengthand disposed 90 apart around the inner wall thereof. For purposes ofillustration, four locking members are shown in the closure assembly inthe drawing, although it will be understood that the total number oflocking members may be widely varied to suit the needs of the particularclosure. The locking members [4 are formed with a bearing surface Ma(Figs. '7 and 8) which is substantially perpendicular to the wall of theinsert. The surfaces Ma are also slightly inclined longitudinally toafford wedging action as described below.

A disc-shaped closure member 15, shown above the drum in Fig. 1, isformed with a rolled upper edge [a the inside curvature of whichconforms with the curvature of the outer surface of the curved surface13 on the drum. The outer edge of the closure member I5 is preferablyformed with the bead I6 (Figs. 5 and 6) to afford rigidity to the freeedge thereof and also to eliminate possible sharp edges. If desired,however, the bead may be omitted.

The closure member I5 is formed with a circumferential, downwardlyextending peripheral wall portion H, as best seen in Figs. 5 and 6,which is of substantially the same outside di ameter as the insidediameter of the opening in the drum so that the former may beconveniently received therein. Below the wall portion IT is a relativelynarrow shelf portion I8, which in turn carries a lower peripheral wallportion I9 (Fig. 6) terminating in an annular depression 20 surroundinga substantially flat disc-shaped bottom 2|.

Formed in the cylindrical or peripheral vertical wall portion 19 of theclosure 5 at circumferentially spaced intervals are a plurality ofoutwardly projecting locking members 22. These locking members 22, fourbeing shown in the illustrated embodiment, are substantially equal inlength and are disposed apart and each is slightly shorter in lengththan the spacing between opposing ends of the locking members It formedon the insert assembly. The locking members 22 are formed with inclinedbearing surfaces 220'. which, transversely, are substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical wall i9, and are so arranged that when theclosure is initially received in the drum the low end of each bearingsurface 22a, is disposed slightly beneath the high end of thecorresponding bearing surface Ma of a locking member 14. Accordingly,when the closure 15 is turned, the locking members 22 will underlie andengage the locking members M to afford a wedging action which draws theclosure downwardly into the drum.

The dimensioning of the closure member [5 is such that when it isinserted in the drum and the locking members l4 and 22 engaged, thecurved annular margin 15a. of the closure is drawn downwardly againstthe curved surface I3 of the drum and insert assembly to provide aliquid tight joint. If desired a suitable gasket may be inserted betweenthe curved surface [3 and the surface 15a of the closure l5. In order toinsure a firm, enduring joint between the contiguous portions of thecurved surfaces, it is preferable that a space 23 be provided betweenthe respective locking members M and 22 (Fig. 8). The right-angle bendbetween the surfaces I8 and i9 affords a springing action whereby thebearing surface 22a is sprung tightly against the bearing surface I411.The resulting tension between the closure and the drum in combinationwith the flat, working surfaces of the cooperating locking membersprovides a structure which has been found to be extremely efiective inresisting unauthorized release through vibration, jarring or otherabnormal or extraordi nary handling of the drum. Thus slight angularturning movement of the closure will not materially affect the tightnessof the seal.

By virtue of the construction described herein, it will be apparent thatthe upper portion of the drum It may be initially formed with a straightcylindrical wall defining the opening therein, with all operationsrequired in the formation of the closure assembly being performedsubsequent to the fabrication of the body of the drum. According to apreferred method of making the closure assembly, a succession of lockingmembers M are formed by suitable die operations on a continuousrelatively narrow strip, after which the strip is cut into closelymeasured lengths. Each length is bent into cylindrical configurationduring the forming of the lugs or subsequently to form an insert memberwith the locking members l4 being disposed on the inside surfacethereof.

With the insert fitted within the drum, the

-curved-surface*I3' may be formed-in a s-ingleoph eratlon-which worksboth'the drumwall 'and 'the -insert walktogether. The lower" edge -I 2-of the insert; is-rolled into the' drum -wall-ati l 2 a;-* this--operationproviding araised annular rib'pn the outer wall of the drumwhich may; if desired; be utilized as one of theconventional"strengthenig or rolling-ribs ofthedrum. a r

' The rib connection "I Z -IZa and-=the laminated or-double-wa lledcurved edge 13 effectiyely secure -the insert- I I; implace, thereby-toir r par-t" addit ion'al rigidity to the-fumner pqrtion of the drumwhich {is V particularly vulnerable "IOMG'XQQIDHI *damage.

v The inporporation -ofithe reinforcing in sert-in= the drumstructurealso permits the use oflighter M gauge materialin *thegdrum-wall withoutdecreast in t me ni l t ene ".t -;'dr =:b acceptable standards;--';Ijhis- 'is possible because 3 top; and -;-the strength iinparted'byithe-"' double thickness of "material at :th' S, DOint-r nderS-it'uninecessary to have such heayyggau materialat beoth rqiet "it will also beseen-that the locking members ltteea set e ar ferme entheinser l areshielded by awalland hence" do not appear as indentations-4m the i outersurface -of the drum. Acg gdingly damage to the ,;;closure mechanismrsyr ra mi h b causedi y rol in econta 1' e sma l share bieetis f eet vtpr nted. .undemierdihat ib im ant ter headingdsniin r fvt a rin 'n tsurfaces of the lpplging ,rrueltlb.ers..v I4 and 22.

It is also possible according to the invention to modifylsthe closureassemblyin the manner shown :imEig. Qimwhich a-.-.supp1emental annularcollar 26; surrounds the cylindrical wall portion, 1| 0; In

agthis embodiment. ..the:. lock-ing. .-.-memb'ers al 4.. e formed in thecylindrical wall [0 of the container and are covered or shieldedexternally by the collar 26. The collar is rolled into the curvedsealing surface at the periphery of the opening in the container in amanner substantially similar to that described above, the rolled edge ofthe collar portion being disposed concentrically within the rolled edgeof the container wall. The lower edge of the collar abuts the annularring formed in the container wall to assist in preventing edgewisemovement of the collar on the cylindrical wall of the container. Or ifpreferred, other securing means, such as spot welding for example, maybe used for accomplishing this purpose.

Certain closure assemblies may be provided according to the inventionwherein it is diificult, in removing the closure member, to determineprecisely when the locking members I4 on the removable closure aredisposed angularly between the locking members on the cylindrical wallof the container so that the closure may be lifted free of thecontainer. Accordingly, a stop member 2! (Fig. 1) may be formed adjacentthe lower end of one or more of the locking members I4, which stopmember is designed to be engaged by the end of an adjacent lockingmember 22a on the closure as the latter is counterrotated to break thelock. This prevents further rotation of the closure and affords anindication to the person opening the container that the closure membermay be lifted from the container without interference by the lockingmembers. The stop member 21 may be formed concurrently with theformation of the locking member [4 and may extend above or below thelongitudinal axis there- -of;- or both, ;as required to =intercept theadjacent locking member 22--on the-"closure.

From the-foregoing it will be-readily-apparent that the inventionprovides' highly eifecti-ve clo- I 5 sures; for-containers ofvarioustypes such for example as those required for the shipmentv'of powderedmaterials,-petroleum, chemicals and=the like, --the--invention affordinga simplified-highly economical assembly-having-materially improved ostructuralcharacteristics enabling the closures j to withstand extreme-punishment and abuse throughmishandling etc.

While a specific embodiment-has beendescribed-in detail herein,- itwill-be-understood -that "-the invention"may beembodiedin a wide varietyofforms and hence should'notbelimitedin scope save asset-forthin thefollowing claims. I- claim: v 1. *A' container and closuretherefor-,--saidcontainerhaving a cylind-ricalwall portioir defining anopening therein, an outwardly curledjibead forming a sealing surface ofcurvedcross section; '-a -'plurality-" of angularly -spaced-apart--locling memb'ers projecting inwardly from said cylindrical wallportion,;ea ch of' -said loclring-members having-a downwardly facingbearing surface-substantiallyperpendicular ;tosaid cylindrical wallportion a and being slightly-inclined with respect to a planeperpendicular-to the-lohgitudinal-axis of saidcylindrical wall;portion;=-said-cyli-ndrical -wall portion comprising a cylindrical'walband a cylindrical collar disposed concentrically and contiguouslywith respect-tosaicl cylindrical-wall andextending inwardly-a'shortdistance" from the -open-end ofthe containen the-upper edgeot thecollar beingrolled inthe bead tosecure it above said locking members;and means -securing -the lower edge of-said cylindricalcollartosaidcylindricalwallbelow said locking members again'st 40 axialmovement upon impact said closure -being of substantially disc-likeshape and having a continuous outwardly extending circumferentialsealing surface conforming to and adapted to overlie the sealing surfaceon said cylindrical wall portion to form a tight joint, said closurealso having a central depressed portion forming a peripheral wall, theupper portion of said peripheral wall snugly fitting said cylindricalwall portion and the lower portion of said peripheral wall 59 having aplurality of angularly spaced-apart outwardly projecting lockingmembers, the length of said closure locking members being less than thespacing between the adjacent container locking members to facilitateinsertion of the closure in the container; each of said closure lockingmembers having a bearing surface lying substantially perpendicular tosaid peripheral wall of the closure and being slightly inclined withrespect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of said periph- 60 eralwall, such that when the closure is turned in the container the lockingmember bearing sur faces on the cylindrical wall portion of thecontainer tightly engage the locking member bearing surfaces on theclosure, bringing the circumferential sealing surfaces on the closureand on said cylindrical wall portion towards each other to form aneffective seal.

2. A container and closure therefor, said container having a cylindricalwall portion defining 7 an opening therein, an outwardly curled beadforming a sealing surface of curved cross section; a plurality ofangularly spaced-apart locking members projecting inwardly from saidcylindrical wall portion, each of said locking mem- 7 bers having adownwardly facing bearing surface substantially perpendicular to saidcylindrical wall portion and being slightly inclined with respect to aplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical wallportion; said cylindrical wall portion comprising a cylindrical wall anda cylindrical collar disposed concentrically and contiguously withrespect to said cylindrical wall and extending inwardly a short distancefrom the open end of the container, the upper edge of the collar beingrolled in the head to secure it above said locking members; and meanssecuring the lower edge of said cylindrical collar to said cylindricalwall below said locking members against axial movement upon impact; saidlast-named means comprising an annular rib in the wall below the lockingmembers with the lower edge of the collar rolled in said rib; saidclosure being of substantially disc-like shape and having a continuousoutwardly extending circumferential sealing surface conforming to andadapted to overlie the sealing surface on said cylindrical wall portionto form a tight joint, said closure also having a central depressedportion forming a peripheral wall, the upper portion of said peripheralwall snugly fitting said cylindrical wall portion and the lower portionof said peripheral wall having a plurality of angularly spaced-apartoutwardly projecting locking members, the length of said closure lockingmembers being less than the spacing between the effective locking lengthof the adjacent container locking members to facilitate insertion of theclosure in the container; each of said closure locking members having abearing surface lying substantially perpendicular to said peripheralwall of the closure and being slightly inclined with respect to a planeperpendicular to the axis of said peripheral wall, such that when theclosure is turned in the container the locking member bearing surfaceson the cylindrical wall portion of the container tightly engage thelocking member bearing surfaces on the closure, bringing thecircumferential sealing surfaces on the closure and on said cylindricalwall portion towards each other to form an effective seal.

3. The container defined in claim 2 in which the cylindrical collar isdisposed outside the cylindrical wall of the container, the upper edgeof the collar being rolled on the inside of the bead forming the sealingsurface and the lower edge of the collar being in contact with theexterior of the rib, whereby the entire interior cylindrical wall andthe sealing surface of the container is one continuous leak-proofsurface. 7

4. The container defined in claim 2 in which the cylindrical collar isdisposed within said cylindrical wall of the container, the upper edgeof the collar being rolled on the outside of the bead forming thesealing surface and the lower edge of the collar being on the interiorof the rib, thereby providing an interior surface in the container inthe vicinity of the opening which is free of obstructions.

HERBERT B. HOWE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 253,075 Lyon Jan. 31,1882 986,847 Nair Mar. 14,1911

1,691,276 Freundt Nov. 13,1928 2,430,036 Thornbu'rgh et a1, Nov; 4, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 296,942 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1928327,215 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1930 237,603 Switzerland Sept. 17, 1945

